Parsons Students Take Over Mulberry Street Boutique Début

For the third year in a row, Lisa Weiss’ boutique Début is selling work by some of the best designers from Parsons’ graduating BFA class. Weiss co-sponsors the annual Parsons Senior Showcase, which is open to the public through June 20, to give young designers some real-life retail experience. Most of the pieces are priced between $600 to $700, and judging by the quality, there are no sufferers of Senioritis among this flock. A few of the designers were even short-listed for Parsons’ Designer of the Year Award, and Niloufar Mozafari, who ultimately took the crown, is currently displaying in Début's window. The enormity of being selected is not lost on the Facebook generation. “It’s hard to break into the field if you don’t know people,” said senior Gilda Su. “Not to mention that right now no one’s hiring! I really appreciate that they’re giving us this chance to introduce our work.”

Click through our slideshow to see the best new pieces by the featured designers.